Page 57 of Wolf Mate

I breathed easier, knowing I wasn’t overreacting. “It’s not your fault, and you’re right. I just …” I trailed off, not wanting to finish that statement. I didn’t want him to think this was a date, and I was putting up boundaries to make it clear, but saying it bluntly seemed cruel.

“Hey, it’s fine. Don’t worry about it.” He winked and took my hand. “Next time, I’ll come get you.”

Next time. I was certain there wouldn’t be a next time, but before I could say so, he pointed to the stairs in front of us and said, “This is us.”

When we entered the open arena, I saw we were near a goalpost. I followed him down the stairs, noting a section full of people our age. We took a left and walked down the right side of a stair rail that split the section of students in two.

I could tell the stair rail was a division between humans and supernaturals even if it wasn’t on purpose. The humans were to the left, looking plain like me compared to the supernaturals to my right. Whether it was right or wrong, the supernaturals had an air of beauty and grace that, no matter what a human did, they’d never achieve. Something woven into their beauty made them stand apart from us mere mortals.

As we passed, many other supernaturals glanced my way, probably noting I was with one of their own even though I wasn’t a coven member.

My blood fizzed under the scrutiny, and a girl’s head snapped in my direction. She hissed. Slade glanced over his shoulder at her and picked up our pace.

Finally, three rows from the front, Slade stopped. He winked at me and sat first. “This is us.”

That put me on the end, and I was grateful I didn’t have to sit beside someone I didn’t know. Dealing with people in front of and behind me was hard enough. I wasn’t used to going out in public like this or being around so many people.

The football team was on the field warming up, and unfortunately, my gaze went straight to Raffe. He turned his head at the same time, and our eyes met. The tingles at the base of my neck started, and the damnyankin my chest made me want to climb over the gate and rush to him.

“Sky,” Slade said, pulling my attention away from Raffe. “This is Gavyn.” He pointed to the man next to him with ash-blond hair some women would kill for. “And that’s Hecate.” He gestured to the woman on Gavyn’s other side. She reminded me of a grown-up version of Merida fromBravewith vibrant, wavyred hair. Her pale skin was flawless, and she had jade-green eyes that made the stone look boring. “And the bored-looking guy beside her is Cade.” Cade had light-brown skin and warm, friendly brown eyes. “Everyone, this is Skylar.”

“Oh, we figured that out when you vanished without a word.” Hecate pouted and twirled a piece of hair around her finger, cutting her eyes to me.

Well, that wasnota warm welcome.

“Don’t give him hell for running off to meet a girl.” Gavyn chuckled. “It’s nice that he’s taken an interest in someone other than himself for a change.”

Slade tensed, and I wondered why his friend would make a comment like that.

“Ignore these two.” Cade leaned over and extended his hand to me. “It’s very nice to meet you, Skylar. Those two are jealous because he hasn’t hung out with us as much since he met you.”

Jealous. That was a new one when it came to me.

“Speak for yourself.” Gavyn placed his hands behind his head, his forest-green eyes on the field. “I find it refreshing.”

“Maybeyoudo.” Hecate bit her lip and edged behind Gavyn toward Slade. She almost purred, “But I rather miss our alone time.”

“Hecate,” Slade warned, shifting closer to me and placing an arm around my waist. He pulled me to his side. “You promised.”

She’dpromised? I didn’t have to hear the story to know something had happened between them, and Hecate wasn’t happy that it was over. My stomach churned. I hoped I hadn’t messed up Slade’s relationship by needing help with my power and my heritage.

I wrung my hands. Coming here had been a mistake.

“Heads up,” someone called from the front row, and I jerked my head forward in time to see a football sail into Slade’s stomach.

He grunted, releasing my waist, and picked up the ball that thudded at our feet.

On the field, Raffe stood at the gate with his hands raised. “Sorry about that. The ball slipped when I was tossing it.” His tone was gravelly and amused.

It was a problem that I was familiar enough with his voice to know his intent.

Slade tensed and tossed the ball back. “Hopefully you won’t have butterfingers during the game.”

Raffe removed his helmet and winked at me. “My hands work just fine when I want them to.”

My body warmed at the insinuation, and I had to force my brain not to head down a dangerous path.

The coach shouted for the team to head to the locker room, and Raffe continued to stare at me as he headed off the field. The tingle on my neck became alarmingly intense.

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